PHOTO ESSAY

We had just finished our VIP tour with Mr. Robert S. Taubman and I looked up at the Macy’s logo and the outdoor fireplace and I said to Maurine, “We’ve got to shoot this whole thing again. The light has changed and we can do an evening shoot now.” This is when I really love to shoot.

The Valet Parking boys were stoked and ready to go for the evening gala celebration of the grand opening of City Creek Center. They saw me coming with my big camera and I just said, “Hey, could you all look over here for one second?” They complied.

Who is going to go in this space? Out of one hundred store spaces, 95 of them are already filled. What is someone waiting for? This is an unprecedented opening of an enormous (700,000 square feet) mixed-use downtown redevelopment project in a downturned economy. There is energy here. There is huge potential here.

This sculpture uniquely captures some of Utah’s native wildlife and reminds us that we (who live in Utah) are living in the midst of a wilderness and desert that is now blossoming as a rose.

The evening light was gently bathing parts of the 1200-foot-long City Creek and the small bridges that intersect north and south of the creek.

We looked down and there were people arriving for the City Creek Center Charity Gala in large numbers. The entry charge was $50. The money raised goes to four very deserving charities in Salt Lake City: Ballet West, The Road Home, Utah’s Hogle Zoo and The Junior League of Salt Lake City.

The last sunlight was hitting parts of City Creek and I was excited to see what would happen as the evening really sunk in.

The light was highlighting the bridge going across to the Disney Store. Of course, with fifteen grandchildren, we had to check out the Disney Store!

I turned and looked back to the north and there was more gentle light rimming the world maps on the Church Office Building. The glow of the red-rocks with the eighteen-foot waterfall was especially delightful.

For you photo buffs: I looked down this little street and wanted to emphasize the Discover City Creek Center sign directly below. I set my exposure to that sign and then underexposed the whole shot one stop. That gave such a wonderful view with the soft glow of the sign and the wonderful streetlights. What an inviting place!

This mother was delighting in the Disney Store with her little baby. I’m not sure which one was having a better time.

Sarah was one of the handpicked workers in the Disney Store. She was going all around getting everyone excited (as were all the other workers) that if we would rub our hands together enough and hope and wish then perhaps Tinkerbell would arrive. She did (on the screen) and everyone cheered. You would have thought we were all in first grade. It was quite fun.

We kept running into the most delightful people, including our dear friends the Wixoms. Jack and Rosemary were the mission president and mission mother in our mission in the east (Washington D.C. South Mission) and now Rosemary is the Primary General President of The Church. We rejoiced in our reunion.

The light was about gone now, even though it looks flat—I had to expose for the inside of the place (film could have handled this, digital had a harder time) to give it the beautiful glow that you see here. Can’t you see spending a date in this place? We loved every minute of our time here.

We are not much for fashion shopping but we had to stop in to see Macy’s and enjoy this huge anchor store of the City Creek Center. We looked at each other and said, “We have found our magic.” I know I’ll hear from my kids on that one (they think I am ultra cheesy).

Many of the mannequins in Macy’s looked so very lifelike—especially this one. Okay, so she is a live model.

This is looking into the 140-foot sky bridge heading to the west. Nordstrom is on the west; Macy’s is on the east. Scores of stores are located in between and all around.

We had to stop in here at the Clark’s Shoe Store. Clarks are made in England and when we can afford them, we buy them because they are so incredibly well built and comfortable. Their socks are amazing—they come with a lifetime guarantee—if they wear out or get a hole in them, you just bring them in and they will give you a brand-new pair for free. Think of that!

The crew at Brooks Brothers lined up for a shot (EVERYONE was doing this—the historic grand opening shot). I shot them from outside the store while they looked at a fellow employee’s camera. The gentleman on the end saw our media passes and said, “What organization are you with?” We said, “Meridian Magazine” and he said, “Oh, I read you every day. I love Meridian.” Thank you, John. That comment got this picture in the photo essay!

Here is yet another crew lining up for a picture at the AT&T store. We were overwhelmed by how nice everyone was at every store. Of course that is that way is should be—be to have it really be that way was so very impressive.

I am not some born-to-shop-type-person. I don’t think I had ever been in a Steve Madden store before this night. They sell the nicest boots. I told the workers (in a rather loud voice): “I love these boots. I would like to get about three or four pairs for my wife”—pointing at Maurine. They all said, “Ohhhhhh, sweet” in unison. I meant it—but it was only a wish.

I was truly taken by the cash register area by the back wall. What an extremely charming place! Everyone was so happy (here and every where). City Creek Center is creating more than 2,000 permanent shopping center jobs. In an economy like this, that is such a bonus for this area.

Okay, I had to get one step closer to that back wall. Isn’t that just so very cool? Love that light fixture. Thank you, Steve Madden.

Oh no! Maurine is getting sucked into the Papyrus Store. I can see that she is very interested in something. We haven’t spent a dime all evening. I approach the store carefully, knowing that if I give a lean towards her interest, well, we’ll have to purchase whatever she is looking at. Unfortunately, we both love the Papyrus Store.

Okay, it’s a simple, lovely, charming, adorable ceramic bunny with a basket of hand-painted ceramic eggs with words such as faith and family on them. This takes us both—it’s in our home now, right on the kitchen counter. Don’t you think it’s cute?

This young woman was extremely outgoing at the LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics store. Here she is demonstrating their amazing bath bubbles, showing us how big and soft they can get. It was like staring at a campfire to see her swish this bathwater back and forth between pitchers.

LUSH hand-makes the most unique fragrances and skin care, hair care, and bath and body treats using fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, essential oils and sustainably sourced ingredients. We were very impressed.

This lovely young woman demonstrated their bath bombs. She dropped this into a large pot of water and voila! it exploded into bubbles and fizzling delight. The smell and the feel were amazing. We were sold. We’re going back.

The fountains at night are simply dazzling. You can watch them for longer than you had planned if you are not careful.

This was truly a night of celebration—the opening of a multi-billion dollar shopping center in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah in the midst of a downturned economy. There was electricity in the air.

The retractable roof idea is simply brilliant. The temperature was so perfect the entire evening; we could hardly believe it.

Remember, we are right across the street from Temple Square. Talk about THE CENTER of the city. This is truly a place of enchantment. We kept thinking that Brigham Young would be so impressed and would really like what has been done here with the downtown that he originally laid out.

We love the use of water in this place—everywhere. It truly enlivens the senses and gives such a peaceful feeling.

The same group that did the world-famous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas designed these fountains—and it shows. They are truly mesmerizing.

Those of you who have been to Salt Lake City recognize this original storefront of ZCMI. They took it all apart and carefully put it all back together again. Remember the wonderful, magical window displays at Christmas time? They will continue to come here year after year as they have in the past.

Notice the TRAX stop below the sky bridge of City Creek Center. Robert Taubman told us that when the TRAX links are completed to the airport, it will only be a ten-minute ride from the Salt Lake International Airport to City Creek Center and Temple Square. That will add a great deal to the visitors’ experiences from around the world.

This place was packed with people on this gala celebration night—but it never felt the least bit crowded. We could not have had a more captivating time.

The customer service area with the waterfall coming out of the back of it continued to amuse me so I had to take a night shot of it.

This store has the most amazing front. This store is called Love Culture and features the latest in women’s fashion and accessories. We couldn’t help just staring at the storefront at night.

This gentleman was playing the nicest, most mellow guitar pieces on this evening. It was a great way to round the evening out. We had heard an a cappella group, a saxophone (wonderful!), a violin and many others tonight. It was truly a perfect evening. What a tremendous addition City Creek Center is to downtown Salt Lake City. It has certainly been worth the wait. If you missed the first photo essay of City Creek Center’s opening, please click here.